West End star Sue Kelvin lights up the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe with her fabulous performance as Bette Midler in Chris Burgess’s musical Bette Midler and Me. Inspired by the diva Bette, Sue was a perfect choice as she had followed her icon’s path growing up and adored Bette. This led to Sue following her dreams to become a West End diva in her own right. From her performance today I can understand why.
One of the particularly entertaining parts of this production is the fact that I learnt things about Bette Midler that I have never known for example her AIDS charity work, the gay clubs she launched her career from and the tragedies that marred her life along the way. Despite the setbacks, she has become one of Hollywood’s stars.
All the glitz and glamour that you’ve come to expect and adore surrounding Midler have been transferred to the Edinburgh Fringe stage to wow audiences as they listen to her life story unfold accompanied by some of the hits associated with her. From Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and a distance. However, for me, Wings beneath my wings will always be my favourite track.
Burgess, writer and director captures everything wonderful and attributed to the larger-than-life star/icon Bette Midler. Bringing her story to life through the eyes of her long-standing fan just adds another depth of warmth to her fascinating life story.
If you’ve never seen the 1988 comedy-drama film Beaches starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, then don’t despair the edited three-minute puppet version will explain it all in more clarity than the original film.
Playing until the end of this week in the Symposium Hall, Annex at the Fringe. Please use the link below to find out more about Bette Midler and Me and the link to buy tickets.
Five Stars.
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